An idea is a plan, suggestion, or possible course of action.
It's a good idea to plan ahead.
I really like the idea of helping people. [+ of]
She told me she'd had a brilliant idea.
Synonyms: plan, scheme, proposal, design More Synonyms of idea
2. countable noun [NOUN that]
An idea is an opinion or belief about what something is like or should be like.
Some of his ideas about democracy are entirely his own. [+ about]
...the idea that reading too many books ruins your eyes.
My idea of physical perfection is to be very slender.
[Also + on/of]
Synonyms: notion, thought, view, understanding More Synonyms of idea
3. singular noun
If someone gives you an idea of something, they give you information about it without being very exact or giving a lot of detail.
This table will give you some idea of how levels of ability can be measured. [+ of]
Could you give us an idea of the range of complaints you've been receiving?
If you cannot remember the exact date give a rough idea of when it was. [+ of]
Synonyms: impression, estimate, guess, hint More Synonyms of idea
4. singular noun
If you have an idea of something, you know about it to some extent.
By the end of the week you will have a clear idea of what your eating habits are.
No one has any real idea how much the company will make next year.
Synonyms: understanding, thought, view, sense More Synonyms of idea
5. singular noun [NOUN that]
If you have an ideathat something is the case, you think that it may be the case, although you are not certain.
[vagueness]
I had an idea that he joined the army later, but I may be wrong.
Synonyms: suspicion, guess, impression, notion More Synonyms of idea
6. singular noun
The idea of an action or activity is its aim or purpose.
The idea is to encourage people to get to know their neighbours.
Synonyms: intention, aim, purpose, object More Synonyms of idea
7. countable noun
If you have the idea of doing something, you intend to do it.
He sent for a number of books he admired with the idea of re-reading them. [+ of]
I had to postpone ideas of a career and stay at home.
8. singular noun
You can use idea in expressions such as I've no idea or I haven't the faintest idea to emphasize that you do not know something.
[emphasis]
'Is she coming by coach?'—'Well I've no idea.'
We haven't the faintest idea where he is.
9.
See get the idea
10.
See you have no idea/you've no idea
idea in British English
(aɪˈdɪə)
noun
1.
any content of the mind, esp the conscious mind
2.
the thought of something
the very idea appals me
3.
a mental representation of something
she's got a good idea of the layout of the factory
4.
the characterization of something in general terms; concept
the idea of a square circle is self-contradictory
5.
an individual's conception of something
his idea of honesty is not the same as yours and mine
6.
the belief that something is the case
he has the idea that what he's doing is right
7.
a scheme, intention, plan, etc
here's my idea for the sales campaign
8.
a vague notion or indication; inkling
he had no idea of what life would be like in Africa
9.
significance or purpose
the idea of the game is to discover the murderer
10. philosophy
a.
a private mental object, regarded as the immediate object of thought or perception
b.
a Platonic Idea or Form
11. music
a thematic phrase or figure; motif
12. obsolete
a mental image
13. get ideas
14. not one's idea of
15. that's an idea
16. the very idea!
▶ USAGE It is usually considered correct to say that someone has the idea of doing something, rather than the idea to do it: he had the idea of taking (not the idea to take) a short holiday
Derived forms
idealess (iˈdealess)
adjective
Word origin
C16: via Late Latin from Greek: model, pattern, notion, from idein to see
Idea in British English
(aɪˈdɪə)
noun
another name for Form
idea in American English
(aɪˈdiə)
noun
1.
something one thinks, knows, or imagines; a thought; mental conception or image; notion
2.
an opinion or belief
3.
a plan; scheme; project; intention; aim
4.
a hazy perception; vague impression; fanciful notion; inkling
5.
meaning or significance
6. Music
a theme or figure
7. Philosophy
according to Plato, any of the unchanging, eternal, intelligible models or archetypes of which all material things are only imperfect imitations and from which their existence derives: in modern philosophy, used variously to mean the immediate object of thought, absolute truth, etc.
SYNONYMY NOTE: idea, the most general of these terms, may be applied to anything existing in the mindas an object of knowledge or thought; , concept refers to a generalized idea of a class of objects, based on knowledge of particularinstances of the class [his concept of a republic]; conception, often equivalent to , concept, specifically refers to something conceived in the mind, or imagined [my conception of how the role should be played]; thought1 is used of any idea, whether or not expressed, that occurs to the mind in reasoningor contemplation [she rarely speaks her thoughts]; notion implies vagueness or incomplete intention [I had a notion to go]; impression also implies vagueness of an idea provoked by some external stimulus [I have the impression that she's unhappy]
Word origin
L < Gr, form or appearance of a thing as opposed to its reality < IE *widswo- < base *weid-, to see, know > L videre, to see, Gr idein, to see, OE witan, to know
COBUILD Collocations
idea
accept an idea
back an idea
bad idea
big idea
business idea
challenge the idea
complex idea
controversial idea
design idea
different idea
discuss an idea
dismiss an idea
dismiss the idea
embrace an idea
entertain an idea
exchange ideas
explore an idea
explore ideas
fantastic idea
fun idea
gift idea
great idea
innovative idea
inspire ideas
nice idea
own idea
policy idea
practical idea
revolutionary idea
sensible idea
share ideas
story idea
stupid idea
the whole idea
vague idea
wrong idea
Examples of 'idea' in a sentence
idea
We did not have too much of an idea about the extent of what was going on.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It seemed like a great idea for a long weekend away.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Which gives you an idea of the strain these men are under.
The Sun (2016)
The quietest member of your family has a truly brilliant idea.
The Sun (2016)
An idea that may also prove unworkable.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
My mum has no idea of our plan.
The Sun (2016)
Big ideas and actions come so easily and you can really make a difference.
The Sun (2016)
They embody different ideas about how to live.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Indeed, when asked whose idea something was, they did not understand the question.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You can make a good case for the idea that all poetry is a form of elegy.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Then your doctor should be able to give you a clearer idea about your particular situation.
The Sun (2016)
Teaching together sounded like a good idea.
Christianity Today (2000)
The idea that negative campaigning will end is also nonsense.
The Sun (2011)
The idea may or may not work.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
What a brilliant idea for a series this is.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Yet it is hard to argue against the idea that something radical needs to be done.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You strike a period where you are richly fertile in terms of ideas and physical activity.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Your mind is clear and you can make a realistic plan that turns your ideas into action.
The Sun (2011)
The idea of planning is a hurdle that many couples need to cross.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You have a bolder attitude at work and a new belief in your ideas.
The Sun (2008)
She may have an idea in any case.
The Sun (2006)
The employee may well have some ideas about how his absence can be covered.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The idea of the campaign was not to feed them but to make them disappear.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He may have no idea if his own father behaved the same way.
The Sun (2013)
Some may be relevant to your situation or they may spark off other ideas in your mind.
Munro, Bill Dr. & Munro, Frances Beat Stress (1992)
Together share the kind of thoughts and ideas suggested in the exercise for individuals.
Lindenfield, Gael 50 Ways to Become a Self-Confident Woman (1989)
Some ideas are so brilliant you wonder why no one thought of them before.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We both liked the idea of adding something new.
The Sun (2014)
She especially liked the idea of having some time to herself each day where she was free of her work schedule.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Quotations
Nothing is more dangerous than an idea, when you have only one ideaAlainPropos sur la religion
A stand can be made against invasion by an army; no stand can be made against invasion by an ideaVictor HugoHistoire d'une Crime
It is better to entertain an idea than to take it home to live with you for the rest of your lifeRandall JarrellPictures from an Institution
Right now it's only a notion, but I think I can get the money to make it into a concept, and later turn it into an ideaWoody AllenAnnie Hall
In other languages
idea
British English: idea /aɪˈdɪə/ NOUN
An idea is a plan or suggestion.
It's a good idea to avoid salty food.
American English: idea
Arabic: فِكْرَةٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: ideia
Chinese: 想法
Croatian: ideja
Czech: nápad
Danish: idé
Dutch: idee
European Spanish: idea
Finnish: ajatus
French: idée
German: Idee
Greek: ιδέα
Italian: idea
Japanese: 考え
Korean: 생각
Norwegian: idé
Polish: idea
European Portuguese: ideia
Romanian: idee
Russian: идея
Latin American Spanish: idea
Swedish: idé
Thai: ความคิด
Turkish: fikir düşünce
Ukrainian: ідея
Vietnamese: ý kiến
All related terms of 'idea'
bad idea
An idea is a plan , suggestion , or possible course of action.
big idea
An idea is a plan , suggestion , or possible course of action.
fun idea
An idea is a plan, suggestion , or possible course of action.
gift idea
An idea is a plan , suggestion , or possible course of action.
nice idea
An idea is a plan, suggestion , or possible course of action.
own idea
An idea is a plan, suggestion , or possible course of action.
design idea
An idea is a plan, suggestion , or possible course of action.
fixed idea
an idea , esp one of an obsessional nature , that is persistently maintained and not subject to change
great idea
An idea is a plan , suggestion , or possible course of action.
policy idea
An idea is a plan, suggestion , or possible course of action.
story idea
An idea is a plan, suggestion , or possible course of action.
stupid idea
An idea is a plan, suggestion , or possible course of action.
vague idea
An idea is a plan, suggestion , or possible course of action.
wrong idea
An idea is a plan , suggestion , or possible course of action.
business idea
An idea is a plan, suggestion , or possible course of action.
complex idea
An idea is a plan, suggestion , or possible course of action.
idea hamster
a person who is employed as a source of new ideas
sensible idea
An idea is a plan, suggestion , or possible course of action.
back an idea
An idea is a plan , suggestion , or possible course of action.
different idea
An idea is a plan , suggestion , or possible course of action.
fantastic idea
An idea is a plan, suggestion , or possible course of action.
get the idea
If someone gets the idea , they understand how to do something or they understand what you are telling them.
innovative idea
An idea is a plan , suggestion , or possible course of action.
practical idea
An idea is a plan, suggestion , or possible course of action.
accept an idea
An idea is an opinion or belief about what something is like or should be like.
controversial idea
An idea is an opinion or belief about what something is like or should be like.
revolutionary idea
An idea is a plan , suggestion , or possible course of action.
that's an idea
that is worth considering
the very idea!
that is preposterous , unreasonable , etc
the whole idea
An idea is a plan , suggestion , or possible course of action.
challenge the idea
An idea is a plan , suggestion , or possible course of action.
discuss an idea
An idea is a plan, suggestion , or possible course of action.
dismiss an idea
An idea is a plan , suggestion , or possible course of action.
dismiss the idea
An idea is a plan, suggestion , or possible course of action.
embrace an idea
An idea is a plan , suggestion , or possible course of action.
entertain an idea
An idea is a plan , suggestion , or possible course of action.
explore an idea
An idea is a plan, suggestion , or possible course of action.
not one's idea of
not what one regards as ( hard work, a holiday , etc)
you have no idea/you've no idea
You can say you have no idea to emphasize how good or bad something is.
not to have the foggiest idea
to have no idea whatsoever
not the faintest
no idea whatsoever
not the foggiest
no idea whatsoever
not have the foggiest/not have the foggiest idea
If you say that you haven't the foggiest or you haven't the foggiest idea , you are emphasizing that you do not know something.
Chinese translation of 'idea'
idea
(aɪˈdɪə)
n
(c) (= scheme) 主意 (zhǔyi) (个(個), gè)
⇒ I had a brilliant idea.我有个绝妙主意。 (Wǒ yǒu gè juémiào zhǔyi.)
(c) (= opinion, theory) 看法 (kànfǎ) (种(種), zhǒng)
⇒ People had some odd ideas about us.人们对我们有些古怪的看法。 (Rénmen duì wǒmen yǒu xiē gǔguài de kànfǎ.)
(c/u) (= notion) 概念 (gàiniàn) (个(個), gè)
⇒ Do you have any idea how big the project is going to be?你对项目规模有概念吗？ (Nǐ duì xiàngmù guīmó yǒu gàiniàn ma?)
⇒ Have you any idea how much it would cost?你知道大概是多少钱吗？ (Nǐ zhīdào dàgài shì duōshao qián ma?)
(s) (= objective) 目的 (mùdì)
⇒ The idea is to try and avoid further expense.目的是尽量避免更多的开销。 (Mùdì shì jǐnliàng bìmiǎn gèng duō de kāixiāo.)
once you get the idea一旦你明白了 (yīdàn nǐ míngbai le)
(what a) good idea!(真是个(個))好主意！ ((zhēn shì gè) hǎo zhǔyi!)
to have a good/clear idea of sth非常了解某事 (fēicháng liǎojiě mǒushì)
I haven't the slightest or faintest idea我根本就不知道 (wǒ gēnběn jiù bù zhīdào)
that's not my idea of fun那不是我的兴(興)趣所在 (nà bùshì wǒ de xìngqù suǒ zài)
It's a good idea to keep a stock of tins in the cupboard.
Synonyms
plan
She met her creditors to propose a plan for making repayments.
scheme
a private pension scheme
proposal
the government's proposals to abolish free health care
design
They drew up the design in a week.
theory
He produced a theory about historical change.
strategy
the basic principles of my strategy
method
new teaching methods
solution
suggestion
I have lots of suggestions for the park's future.
recommendation
The committee's recommendations are unlikely to be made public.
proposition
I want to make you a business proposition.
2 (noun)
Definition
a belief or opinion
Some of his ideas about democracy are entirely his own.
Synonyms
notion
the notion that musical ability is present from birth
He has a realistic notion of his capabilities.
thought
They had no thought of surrendering.
view
You should make your views known to your local MP.
understanding
It is my understanding that this has been going on for many years.
teaching
opinion
Most who expressed an opinion spoke favourably of her.
belief
It is my belief that a common ground can be found.
conclusion
We came to the conclusion that it was too difficult to combine the two techniques.
hypothesis
impression
conviction
Their religious convictions prevented them from taking up arms.
judgment
In your judgment, what has changed over the past few years?
interpretation
He was aware of the interpretation many put on his being at her home.
sentiment
The Foreign Secretary echoed this sentiment.
doctrine
the Marxist doctrine of perpetual revolution
conception
viewpoint
The novel is written from the murderer's viewpoint.
What's your viewpoint on this issue?
3 (noun)
Definition
a vague notion
This graph will give you some idea of levels of ability.
Synonyms
impression
estimate
This figure is five times the original estimate.
guess
He took her pulse and made a guess at her blood pressure.
hint
I'd dropped a hint about having an exhibition of his work.
notion
clue
Scientists have discovered a clue that may unlock the puzzle.
a vital clue to the killer's identity
conjecture
surmise
Her surmise proved correct.
inkling
We had an inkling that something might be happening.
approximation
That's an approximation, but my guess is there'll be a reasonable balance.
intimation
I did not have any intimation that he was going to resign.
ballpark figure
4 (noun)
Definition
a person's conception of something
By the end of the week you will have a clearer idea of the system.
Synonyms
understanding
They have to have a basic understanding of computers.
thought
It is my thought that the situation will be resolved.
view
sense
When he was younger he had a bit more sense.
opinion
That has improved my already favourable opinion of him.
concept
She added that the concept of arranged marriages is misunderstood in the west.
impression
judgment
Publication of the information was a serious error in judgment.
perception
her perception of the feeling was strong
conception
He doesn't have the slightest conception of teamwork.
abstraction
Is it worth fighting in the name of an abstraction?
estimation
He has gone down considerably in my estimation.
5 (noun)
Definition
a vague notion
I had an idea that he joined the army later.
Synonyms
suspicion
I have a sneaking suspicion that they are going to succeed.
guess
My guess is that she's waiting for you to make the first move.
impression
My impression is that they are totally out of control.
notion
hunch
I had a hunch that we would work well together.
conjecture
Your assertion is merely a conjecture, not a fact.
gut feeling (informal)
supposition
There's a popular supposition that we're publicly funded.
6 (noun)
Definition
aim or purpose
The idea is to help lower-income families to buy their homes.
Synonyms
intention
She announced her intention of standing for parliament.
aim
a research programme that has failed to achieve its aim
purpose
The purpose of the occasion was to raise money for charity.
object
The object of the exercise is to raise money for charity.
end
another policy designed to achieve the same end
plan
Her plan was to teach the children at home.
reason
There is a reason for every important thing that happens.
goal
The goal is to raise as much money as possible.
design
Is there some design in having him here?
objective
His objective was to play golf and win.
motive
Police have ruled out robbery as a motive for the killing.
related words
related phobiaideophobia
Usage note
It is usually considered correct to say that someone has the idea of doing something, rather than the idea to do something. For example, you would say he had the idea of taking a holiday, not he had the idea to take a holiday.
Quotations
Nothing is more dangerous than an idea, when you have only one idea [Alain – Propos sur la religion]A stand can be made against invasion by an army; no stand can be made against invasion by an idea [Victor Hugo – Histoire d'une Crime]It is better to entertain an idea than to take it home to live with you for the rest of your life [Randall Jarrell – Pictures from an Institution]Right now it's only a notion, but I think I can get the money to make it into a concept, and later turn it into an idea [Woody Allen – Annie Hall]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abstraction
Definition
a general idea rather than a specific example
Is it worth fighting in the name of an abstraction?
Synonyms
concept,
thought,
idea,
view,
theory,
impression,
formula,
notion,
hypothesis,
generalization,
theorem,
generality
in the sense of aim
Definition
intention or purpose
a research programme that has failed to achieve its aim
Synonyms
intention,
end,
point,
plan,
course,
mark,
goal,
design,
target,
wish,
scheme,
purpose,
direction,
desire,
object,
objective,
ambition,
intent,
aspiration,
Holy Grail (informal)
in the sense of approximation
That's an approximation, but my guess is there'll be a reasonable balance.